LANSING — For those who want to use medical marijuana there is now a tougher standard to obtain the necessary card.

Also, renewal must now come every two years rather than yearly.

The law became effective April 1. Now doctors must complete face-to-face medical evaluations of patients, review their relevant medical records and assess their medical conditions and histories. The amendments also require follow-up with patients after providing the certification to see whether the use of medical marijuana to treat the illness is working.

Bill sponsor Democratic Rep. Phil Cavanagh of Redford Township said lawmakers had concerns that medical marijuana certificates were given out too liberally, like over the phone or Internet.

There was a rush by some clinics in southwest Michigan to provide medical approval in March for those seeking cards. The new requirements are expected to add to the cost for the thorough exams.

Applicants also must show proof of residence, like a driver's license or state ID, to get the $100 cards. There are more than 131,000 registered medical-marijuana patients in the state, just over 1 percent of the population.

Also in Michigan 27,000 are caregivers, or people who can grow marijuana for up to five people, according to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

Some will lose this status under a change in the law. Caregivers are now disqualified if they have committed a felony within the last 10 years or have ever committed an assault. The prior law only required that caregivers could not have been previously convicted of a drug felony.

Those who lose the caregiver stratus and continue to provide the drug face felony delivery charges.

The new applications are available now online from the state. The application combines the new patient application, the renewal application and the change of caregiver in the new Application Form For Registry Identification Card's first page.

The second page includes a tax form-style checklist for proper documentation and how to qualify for the discounted application fee for those enrolled in SSI/Full Medicaid/Disability.

Also included at the end of page two is a section titled "What To Expect After You Submit Your Application." It includes contact information, rejection information and timetables for approval. The Caregiver Attestation was changed to a two-page form as well.

Michigan does not allow marijuana dispensaries, but in February Republican Rep. Mike Callton of Nashville introduced a bill to legalize the shops. That bill has not yet been debated by lawmakers.

Caregivers and card holders can be charged with illegal possession if they don’t properly transport the drug. Medical marijuana users must now store their pot in a case in the trunk while riding in a motor vehicle. If the vehicle doesn't have a trunk the marijuana must still be in a case that's not easily accessible.

Page 2 of 2 - The Michigan Marijuana Law was enacted by voters in a landslide election with a 63 percent margin in 2008.